Becoming Daddy
On August 28, 2007 I became a father. It was a much anticipated moment since my wife and I had been married for almost nine years with many of those trying to have a baby. We were blessed with twins, George Henry (named after his maternal grandfather and his father) and Isabella Aileen (Aileen is my sister in-law, Isabella is a name my wife always wanted for a daughter).
You know they say your life changes when your kids are born but for me the experience was odd. Yes life was different but I didn't feel this incredible bond to my new babies the way my wife seemed to. I mean newborn babies are eating, sleeping, crying, defecating machines. They look cute, but beyond that they don't really have much going for them.
Then as time goes by your baby (or in my case babies) start to grow and change. They develop distinct personalities. They spend more and more time awake. They begin to recognize their surroundings. They begin to smile, not as a muscular reflex but out of joy. They laugh when you tickle them. They give you that sly grin when they are about to do something they know they aren't supposed to be doing. The yell with glee when you get home from work and they cry when you leave the next morning.
Little by little your attachment grows and soon you find yourself looking at your watch when you're at work, wondering how you can make it home early to play with them. You get upset with the traffic that's keeping you from getting there. You are disappointed when you have to travel on business because you know that when you get back you'll only be able to catch a glimpse of them asleep in their cribs.
Then something happens to one of them and all of a sudden the importance of these little beings in your lives hits you.
Last Saturday my daughter began to cough. She couldn't keep any food down and refused to drink. By the afternoon she began moaning. We called the pediatrician and she prescribed something for the cough. We run to the pharmacy to get the medicine and finally put her down to sleep for the night. But she wakes up intermittently coughing and moaning and now she has a high fever. Suddenly we realize that something is seriously wrong and it's run like hell to the emergency room at the Children's Hospital at 1:00 AM.
We know it's bad when they take Isabella within ten minutes of our arrival despite a completely full waiting room. Her heart is racing, 230 beats per minute. Her oxygen saturation is low. Her breathing is labored. She's moaning. They take a chest X-ray and give the diagnosis which has become all but apparent to everyone in the room. Isabella has pneumonia. I have to hold her down while the nurse inserts the IV into her tiny veins.
We spend the night in the E.R. treatment room and Isabella is moved to the PICU in the morning where she remains for two days and then to a regular room for two and a half days. My mother in-law and I take turns keeping the vigil with Isabella, sleeping in rocking chairs and those armchairs that fold out, awakening periodically when the nurse comes in to administer a treatment. During those long hours in the middle of the night one has time to reflect. That's when, praying over my helpless child, I realized that I may have become a father on August 28, 2007 but I became a daddy on February 8th 2009.
Postscript: Isabella came home with us on Thursday afternoon and is doing well.
hope she gets well soon. My prayers are with her. Keep us up to date.
Henry, you've made me cry.
This is a wonderful tribute to the joy of parenthood. It's true, we don't really "get it" until something happens to trigger what these tiny little people really mean to us. I'm sure you would have done anything to be in her place for the last week.
I'm so glad she's doing much better. Please give those beautiful babies and your lovely wife a big hug from me.
Ditto all the above. Nothing is more frightening than our children getting sick, and nothing makes us feel so helpless as having to stand by and watch. I'm so glad Isabella is better, you are all in my prayers. A large hug to you, Ana, and the babies.
Hope Isabella continues to get better very soon. My prayers are with you.
May the good Lord smile down on her and send her back home to you soon.
Omar Fernandez
Henry,
Doesn't get any easier, my friend.
Three years ago my oldest daughter was pregnant in her senior year of college. She and her fiance had broken up.
She became very ill with severe back and side pain.
I ran her to the hospital and they admitted her for kidney stones. For four nights I stayed in the hospital with my 21 yr old daughter ... she was so sick, and all she could think about were her finals and not missing them.
When she was finally released she had me drive her to campus, just under the gun, and she dragged herself in to take those damn finals. Nobody will ever know just how dedicated she was to completing things she was responsible for. Her graduation day I teared-up with pride for her perseverance and strength.
Two months later I was in the delivery room with her as she birthed my beautiful grandbaby boy (Mickey) ... and her fiance was there too.
They'll be married 2 years come July, and also now have a beautiful healthy baby girl (Sophia). She's an RN and my son-in-law is a high school teacher.
You NEVER stop worrying ... You never stop feeling just a bit helpless where they are concerned.
Hold her (and her brother) closer and never take one second for granted.
God bless ...
Maggie
Last Year aUGUST THE 6 TH ,I lost my 18 year old Grandson to a terrible car crashed, yes sons and daughters are precious, but grandkids are sublime, My wife and I are still in deep depression and do not know if we ever will recovered.
SO love your Children only God knows their destiny.
Peace
I am glad she is doing better !!
Congratulations Henry..!!! God blessed you and your family..
saludos
Henry, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, but happy to hear that she is home and doing better.
Our prayers are with you and your family. George
God Bless your little girl for a speedy full recovery. I will keep her in my prayers.
Henry, I pray for your daughter's speedy and perfect recovery. As a dad, there is nothing worse than seeing your kid sick.
Best wishes, Henry! I'm very glad to hear that your daughter is recovering.
Henry, I know the feeling well. Be strong and God Bless her and the rest of your family.
I'm glad she's doing better. My prayers to you and your family. In less than two months my wife and I will begin having similar experiences for the first time.
Welcome to the club Henry. Believe me it doesn't get any better. Once your children are grown and have children of their own it multiplies your worries.
I'm glad she's doing well.
Henry,
There is NOTHING that can prepare you for the great pain and amazing pleasure of parenthood. I'm glad your sweet girl is home. We're praying for her speedy recovery.
Besos,
Marta